Who Wants to Test Some New Firmware? (12.03 Beta 5 UPDATE)

Sounds great guys... my plexi patch sounds better, and my recto orange patch sounds better, feels better.. I hear improved highs, a tad harrier it seems.
 
Before I was treating the models as separate preamps and power amps as though you were using a rack system with a preamp unit and a power amp. I did some tests and noticed that there is quite a bit of interaction between the power amp and preamp in an integrated amp (combo or head). So now the modeling feeds the power supply voltage from the power amp algorithm back into the preamp algorithm.
remarkable that you still continue to search and find little pieces of the puzzle to improve...
 
All models are affected. The harder the virtual power amp is driven the more noticeable the improved preamp modeling will be.

Before I was treating the models as separate preamps and power amps as though you were using a rack system with a preamp unit and a power amp. I did some tests and noticed that there is quite a bit of interaction between the power amp and preamp in an integrated amp (combo or head). So now the modeling feeds the power supply voltage from the power amp algorithm back into the preamp algorithm. As the B+ sags (and the screens droop and bounce) the preamp is affected as it will in a real amp.

What happens is that as you hold a note or chord the B+ sags. The preamp voltage sags as well but at a slower rate due to all the extra capacitance and resistance between the screen voltage and the preamp tubes. Eventually the preamp voltages sag enough to compress 10-20% depending on the amp. This is a couple dB or so of compression. It's a slow compression though so your pick attack is unaffected.

I don't think I hear much, if any, difference but the feel is definitely different. It feels a lot easier to play like I don't need to press on the strings as hard.

I imagine the low end will be affected as the compression will cause less drive into the power amp and therefore less saturation at the resonance of the speaker.

So, you would agree with this Reinhold Bogner quote?

The following is a quote from Reinhold located on the Bogner website:


17 years ago to date as of 2009. It was the time when most of the people where using external multi channel pre-amps to achieve a vast variety of sounds, some used multiple amp setups. Reinhold realized two things early on, a split system of pre and power amp can not give you the dynamics and response of a single circuit which incorporates both...
 
remarkable that you still continue to search and find little pieces of the puzzle to improve...



This is gonna sound well, bad no matter how I say it so I'll preface it with; I mean no harsh tone or malice toward fractal .

I am actually surprised this was just now addressed by fractal, this is well known, dare I say common tube amplifier knowledge.
 
This is gonna sound well, bad no matter how I say it so I'll preface it with; I mean no harsh tone or malice toward fractal .

I am actually surprised this was just now addressed by fractal, this is well known, dare I say common tube amplifier knowledge.

I have been quite aware of this for years. Implementing it is quite a different story. Things that are trivial in analog circuits can be extremely difficult to implement in the digital realm.

For any of you who think otherwise I suggest you start your own company and produce your own effects processors.

Frankly I don't deserve this kind of response, preface or not.
 
I don't have a very trained ear so maybe I'm hearing changes more than I should but I definitely feel that the sustain and "note bloom" in all my more driven patches has improved. Even at low volume I'm getting a nice musical feedback on held notes. I've had this before, but in the past it was more elusive in my rig than it is with 12.03b5 - now regardless of real volume, my patches seem to have it. This would seem to be in line with the "voltage" change description I would imagine. Loving it!! Thankyou!!
 
Baby is asleep now, so I can't crank it up yet on 12.03b5.... argggggggggg :)

Uploaded with no issues though and my bread n butter presets sound good with no tweaks so far.
 
I have been quite aware of this for years. Implementing it is quite a different story. Things that are trivial in analog circuits can be extremely difficult to implement in the digital realm.

For any of you who think otherwise I suggest you start your own company and produce your own effects processors.

Frankly I don't deserve this kind of response, preface or not.



Well I am sorry I offended.

I did mean not imply implementation was easy, sorry if it seems that way.

I was truly shocked that this was just now addressed, seems like a priority to me.

I did not believe you just learned this happens which you have subsequently explained.

Now that you have explained the implementation was difficult I understand why it took so long.

Maybe I expressed my opinion too matter of factly, then again there is no inflection in text.

Would you disagree that is is pretty common tube amplifier knowledge?

I am grateful you put so much effort into making my guitar playing life awesome, hopefully that is crystal clear.
 
Well I am sorry I offended.

I did mean not imply implementation was easy, sorry if it seems that way.

I was truly shocked that this was just now addressed, seems like a priority to me.

I did not believe you just learned this happens which you have subsequently explained.

Now that you have explained the implementation was difficult I understand why it took so long.

Maybe I expressed my opinion too matter of factly, then again there is no inflection in text.

Would you disagree that is is pretty common tube amplifier knowledge?

I am grateful you put so much effort into making my guitar playing life awesome, hopefully that is crystal clear.

Brings back fond memories of my many years in IT - often, the requirements that were the simplest to explain/see/hear were the hardest to pull off in the software implementation; but most of my users never really understood this; and they insulted me quite often about it; to which I tried to take the "they know not what they say" high road position - lol!
 
Brings back fond memories of my many years in IT - often, the requirements that were the simplest to explain/see/hear were the hardest to pull off in the software implementation; but most of my users never really understood this; and they insulted me quite often about it; to which I tried to take the "they know not what they say" high road position - lol!

I can understand that.

I was never trying to insult just commenting on another users post. What I said still remains what I meant to say.
 
Thanks Cliff and company! Fractal is always reaching higher and I as a customer that has had my Axe-FX II for just over a year could not be happier with the customer focus, innovation and constant improvement. You guys ROCK! Oh, on a side note...... Loving the Dogfish Brown........ :encouragement:
 
Use MidiOx and jumper pin method. One you load the FW with that method, backup ALL user/downloaded presets and load the factory presets/defaults. Then retry/reload as usual. I believe gen.2 Axe II's have an EPROM in them but would need confirmation on this... anyone?

Here are the instructions I got from Matt:
WARNING/AVIS! REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL. SHOCK HAZARD! RISQUE DE CHOC ÉLECTRIQUE! TO REDUCE RISK DO NOT EXPOSE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE. DO NOT REMOVE COVER. NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS.

Instructions for qualified service technician:

1. Remove the screws holding the cover. Lift the cover slowly and note the fan wires running from the cover to the motherboard.

2. Disconnect the fan wire connector noting the location of the connector.

3. Locate the enclosed EPROM. Install the EPROM in the empty socket in the motherboard noting the orientation of the EPROM. The socket will have an indexed corner. Be sure to install the EPROM so that the indeces align.

4. Locate the enclosed 2-pin jumper. Place the jumper over the FLASH BOOT header J26.

5. Connect the power and turn the unit on. The unit should automatically show the firmware update screen.

6. Install the latest firmware. IMPORTANT: FRACTAL-BOT CANNOT BE USED TO INSTALL FIRMWARE DURING EMERGENCY RECOVERY. For instructions on how to use MIDI-OX or SNOIZE, see

http://support.fractalaudio.com/index.php?/Knowledgebase/Article/View/6/4/axe-fx-ii-firmware-update---midi-ox-or-snoize-sysex-librarian

Firmware includes an "Update Guide" with other information you should review.

7. Once the firmware update is complete, power the unit off and disconnect the power.

8. Remove the 2-pin jumper from J26. The EPROM can be left in the socket.

9. Reconnect power and turn the unit on and make sure it boots properly. Turn power off and disconnect power.

10. Plug the fan connector into the fan header and reinstall the cover. Make sure to orient the cover so that the fan is over the heatsinks.

Greatly appreciate though mine is a gen 1 so I will have to get an EPROM sent to me from support on Monday. It's awesome however that the forum is always helpful with suggestions to try, you guys rock!

Word to the wise, don't upgrade firmware Sat morning, as you risk a big damper on the weekend ;-)
 
I would try this (from the manual):

Q: My Axe-Fx II is behaving erratically or “froze up” while I was using it. What should I do?
A: First try a simple reboot. If that doesn’t work, Disconnect MIDI, USB and MFC and hold RECALL while you power
on the unit. This will load an EMPTY preset, but won’t affect any of your saved settings.

Tried it but no go, thanks for the suggestion however. I think support will send me an EPROM on Monday.
 
remarkable that you still continue to search and find little pieces of the puzzle to improve...

yeah, I agree. I know nothing about amps (tube or solid state) other than turning them on and twisting dials. So a lot of the talk goes over my head, but it's great to read and learn from the discussions. Thank you Fractal for sharing information and insights that you come across.
 

Thank you very much for all the work you do documenting this device. It's very helpful.

I'd like to see the internal amp number associated with the amp model in the description or title for the description. For instance, Matchbox D-30 (096), Car Roamer (042), etc. in addition to the list at the front of the collection. Or, perhaps added as a line item? I print all this stuff out and bind it in an "Axe Fx Documentation Master", and as I peruse it I'd like to know where to go or what to use without referring to an index or TOC. Would anyone else be interested in this? If so, I'll edit the WIKI to include those.

Edit: Done
 
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